OJAS

Where the essence of vitality that resides within you is celebrated and nurtured. Derived from the ancient wisdom of Sanskrit, "Ojas" encapsulates the very essence of vigor, immunity, strength, and boundless happiness. It's the life force that empowers us to flourish in all aspects of existence. We call this the vital nectar of life! 

Experience

RE-ALIGN THE BODY

In this offering we look at stress from the perspective of breath, body alignment and daily ritual practices. When you start breathing in a way that supports your body, you support your stress responses. This retreat is a place to learn management tools for daily life, reset your system and form new rituals that you can take home with you! 

DAILY WELLNESS PRACTICES

Exploring movement through breathing practices, cacao ritual, and Transformational Breathwork, along with hiking, healing touch massages, surfing, and moments of pure relaxation.

LOCAL VIBE

From the sounds of sunrise to the color display of the sunsets, El Salvador is vibrant in every way! The landscape of the coastline was formed by volcanic activity making this the Hawaii of Central America. The food is colorful, fresh, organic and grown locally. The people of El Salvador make the experience with bright smiles, warm hearts and a welcoming energy.
We like to use the #dontskipelsalvador because it is truly a hidden gem.

VIBRANT FOODS

Our culinary experience at the retreat is a celebration of vibrant, homemade meals crafted from the freshest and healthiest ingredients. Our café is rooted in Ayurveda with a latin flare! We are dedicated to a vegetarian and vegan focus with light meat and fish options, ensuring a nourishing journey that accommodates various dietary restrictions and allergies. Prepare to be nourished, energized, and delighted throughout the week with our thoughtfully prepared and delicious food offerings.

SANCTUARY OF ZEN

Tucked away but yet just steps away from the waterfront, cafes, and restaurants El Tunco has to offer. The lush green space invokes a peaceful ambiance. Guests can enjoy the refreshing pool, shade under almond trees, and lounging on the deck.
This peaceful sanctuary invites guests to mingle, reflect, and everything in between.

Your Ojas Oasis Awaits:

Unveil your true potential and unlock a wealth of vigor, immunity, strength, and happiness at the Ojas Sanctuary. Book your retreat now and embark on a journey to replenish your ojas, all while rediscovering the transformative potential of your breath. Ojas Sanctuary – Where Vitality Meets Abundance through Breath.

January 27 - Feb 3, 2024
El Tunco, El Salvador

Anatomy of Stress and Breathwork

February 10 - 16, 2024
El Tunco, El Salvador

Breathwork and the Healing Ocean

  • Embrace the Ojas Lifestyle:

    At Ojas Collective, we wholeheartedly embrace the philosophy of Ojas. Our experiences are designed to revitalize your ojas, to help you rekindle your innate vitality, and to find an abundance of health, joy, and energy.

  • A Sanctuary for Your Well-being:

    Step into a retreat, a sanctuary dedicated to the cultivation of ojas within. Surrounded by nature's beauty, you'll discover a space where your health, your spirits, and your energy are given the utmost care and attention.

  • Nurturing Your Life Force:

    Our seasoned practitioners and wellness experts are here to guide you on your journey towards fortifying your ojas. Through a harmonious blend of holistic practices, yoga, meditation, and the transformative power of conscious breathing, you'll enhance your vitality and find a renewed sense of well-being.

  • Breathe Life into Your Ojas:

    At the Ojas Collective, we understand that the breath is the conduit through which we infuse life into our essence of vitality. Our mindful breathing exercises and meditative practices will help you harness the rejuvenating power of every inhale and the releasing calm of every exhale.

  • Holistic Healing Through Breath:

    Our retreats are meticulously crafted to combine ancient wisdom with the contemporary science of anatomy & breathwork. As you connect with your breath, you'll discover that your ojas strengthens, promoting robust immunity, unwavering strength, and boundless happiness.

  • Rediscover Abundance with Every Breath:

    Immerse yourself in the Ojas experience, where the power of breath amplifies your vitality. Our retreats offer you a path to revitalize your ojas, ensuring you're ready to embrace life's challenges with profound strength and a smile on your face, one breath at a time.

  • Your Ojas Oasis Awaits:

    Unveil your true potential and unlock a wealth of vigor, immunity, strength, and happiness at the Ojas Sanctuary.
    Book your retreat now and embark on a journey to replenish your ojas, all while rediscovering the transformative potential of your breath.
    Ojas Sanctuary – Where Vitality Meets Abundance through Breath.

Lindsay Gonzalez

E-RYT 500, YACEP / HBCE

Lindsay is always looking for adventures on and off the mat. She is known for her keen understanding of Breathwork practices, Ayurvedic studies, body alignment, sense of humor and ability to empower her students to live fully. With over two decades of experience in her field she is the founder of OJAS Collective Yoga School guiding 200 & 300 teacher training programs. After years of travel and teaching, Lindsay and her partner Adrain Wigston remodelled and expanded Balancé Surf & Yoga Center in El Salvador. You will find Lindsay guiding in person classes and events at Balancé throughout the year.

On the subtle side, Lindsay is an intuitive guide and a student of Breath, Ayurveda, Birthwork & Yoga Therapy. She studied extensively with Christian De La Huerta to guide the healing modality of Transformational Breathwork and leads group and private Breathwork experiences. Lindsay believes that breath is the root of all healing.

The Anatomy of Stress

from a yoga, anatomy, and breathwork perspective acknowledges that stress affects the entire being – body, mind, and emotions. The holistic approach of these practices aims to address stress on all these levels, promoting relaxation, balance, and vitality. By integrating yoga postures, anatomical understanding, and breathwork techniques, individuals can cultivate resilience and equip themselves with tools to manage and alleviate the effects of stress in their daily lives.

  • Yoga Perspective

    In yoga philosophy, stress is often seen as a result of an imbalance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. Stress can manifest as physical tension, emotional distress, and mental agitation. Through yoga postures (asanas), practitioners seek to release physical tension, improve flexibility, and enhance body awareness, all of which can help alleviate the physical aspects of stress. Additionally, mindfulness and meditation in yoga assist in managing the mental and emotional aspects of stress.

  • Anatomy Perspective:

    From an anatomical viewpoint, stress triggers a complex cascade of physiological responses. The hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is activated, leading to the release of stress hormones like cortisol. Chronic stress can lead to muscle tension, increased heart rate, digestive issues, and compromised immune function. Understanding the anatomical effects of stress highlights the importance of practices like yoga, which can help release muscle tension, improve circulation, and reduce the physiological impact of stress on the body.

  • Breathwork Perspective

    Breathwork, particularly in practices like pranayama in yoga, plays a crucial role in managing stress. Stress often leads to shallow, rapid breathing, which further exacerbates the body's stress response. Focused breathwork techniques help regulate the breath, activate the parasympathetic nervous system (the relaxation response), and promote a sense of calm and balance. By consciously working with the breath, individuals can reduce anxiety, increase oxygen supply to tissues, and enhance overall well-being.

Yoga Perspective:

Anatomy Perspective:

Breathwork Perspective:

In yoga philosophy, stress is often seen as a result of an imbalance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. Stress can manifest as physical tension, emotional distress, and mental agitation. Through yoga postures (asanas), practitioners seek to release physical tension, improve flexibility, and enhance body awareness, all of which can help alleviate the physical aspects of stress. Additionally, mindfulness and meditation in yoga assist in managing the mental and emotional aspects of stress.

From an anatomical viewpoint, stress triggers a complex cascade of physiological responses. The hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is activated, leading to the release of stress hormones like cortisol. Chronic stress can lead to muscle tension, increased heart rate, digestive issues, and compromised immune function. Understanding the anatomical effects of stress highlights the importance of practices like yoga, which can help release muscle tension, improve circulation, and reduce the physiological impact of stress on the body.

Breathwork, particularly in practices like pranayama in yoga, plays a crucial role in managing stress. Stress often leads to shallow, rapid breathing, which further exacerbates the body's stress response. Focused breathwork techniques help regulate the breath, activate the parasympathetic nervous system (the relaxation response), and promote a sense of calm and balance. By consciously working with the breath, individuals can reduce anxiety, increase oxygen supply to tissues, and enhance overall well-being.